No Solution in Sight
Faith is trusting in God's guidance even when we cannot see the path ahead.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the importance of faith without sight, using the analogy of sailing across the Atlantic to illustrate how faith in God's guidance is like sailing by the heavenly lights rather than earthly signs. He emphasizes the need to trust in God's leading even when the path seems uncertain or dark, as God can turn moments of midnight into gates of day. Cowman encourages stepping out in faith without knowing the outcome, as waiting on God often leads to quicker fulfillment of our journeys.
Text
"He went out, not knowing whither he went" (Heb. 11:9).
It is faith without sight. When we can see, it is not faith, but reasoning. In crossing the Atlantic we observed this very principle of faith. We saw no path upon the sea, nor sign of the shore. And yet day by day we were marking our path upon the chart as exactly as if there had followed us a great chalk line upon the sea. And when we came within twenty miles of land, we knew where we were as exactly as if we had seen it all three thousand miles ahead.
How had we measured and marked our course? Day by day our captain had taken his instruments and, looking up to the sky, had fixed his course by the sun. He was sailing by the heavenly, not the earthly lights.
So faith looks up and sails on, by God's great Sun, not seeing one shore line or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way. Often its steps seem to lead into utter uncertainty, and even darkness and disaster; but He opens the way, and often makes such midnight hours the very gates of day. Let us go forth this day, not knowing, but trusting.--Days of Heaven upon Earth
"Too many of us want to see our way through before starting new enterprises. If we could and did, from whence would come the development of our Christian graces? Faith, hope and love cannot be plucked from trees, like ripe apples. After the words 'In the beginning' comes the word 'God'! The first step turns the key into God's power-house, and it is not only true that God helps those who help themselves, but He also helps those who cannot help themselves. You can depend upon Him every time."
"Waiting on God brings us to our journey's end quicker than our feet."
The opportunity is often lost by deliberation.
Sermon Outline
- Faith without Sight
- Faith is not about seeing the path ahead
- Faith is about trusting in God's guidance
- Faith is not about being in control
Key Quotes
“Faith looks up and sails on, by God's great Sun, not seeing one shore line or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Waiting on God brings us to our journey's end quicker than our feet.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Too many of us want to see our way through before starting new enterprises.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We should not wait to see the path ahead before starting new enterprises, but rather trust in God's guidance.
- Waiting on God can bring us to our journey's end quicker than our feet.
- We can depend on God every time, even when we cannot help ourselves.